On the applicability of structural criteria in complexity management

Companies face challenges due to increasing complexity through shorter product life cycles, manifold costumer requirements, more solution options and discipline-spanning collaboration. During the development of complex systems efficient tools for analysis and for assessment of solutions are necessary. A common approach is structural analysis, which can be applied in early development phases. System structures are analyzed with structural criteria such as cycles and clusters. Manifold criteria have been introduced in graph theory and applied in complexity management. In industrial applications suitable criteria have to be chosen. In research the significance of the criteria has to be shown. Based on an extensive literature review we show applications of structural criteria in complexity management. We derive requirements onto structural criteria from the applications. We show methods to prove the applicability of the criteria. Researchers get tools for proving and assessing the significance of structural analyses. More effective analyses can be developed. The quality of technical solutions increases and manifold solutions can be developed.